"Sustainability: A Process Not an End"

This piece is entitled, “The power of love and money”. Both can be used for good or evil, but the choice is ours. I have studied the life of Jesus, and am humbled by what is believed to be one of his last actions on earth. Jesus chose to wash the feet of his disciples, even though some had and would betray him. This serves to me as a beautiful example of grace and humility, both of which are necessary to create a more sustainable world. I have drawn images of the washing of feet on recycled pieces of old journals. Other recycled media include, found luggage tags, discarded doodles and stickers, price tags, wrappers, etc. We all must make the choice of what to value love or money?

                                    

My first piece “My underwear aren’t trash.”, was made in attempts to hold onto a dying craft, quilting. The different materials used to make the piece include, my great grandmother’s fabrics, thread, and other miscellaneous sewing tools, my old underwear, found buttons, old hair wraps, used dresses, and so forth. This piece was created on a retreat with friends in the Gracyn Highlands. The goal of the retreat was to embrace the New Year, in nature with true community. Every day each of us led an activity, and I led quilt square making. We all created the squares together, and then I sewed them together by hand. This piece exemplifies the power of diversity and creativity, as it requires the combined efforts and beauty of a group of people. Such qualities I believe are essential to progress towards a more sustainable future. We plan to make the retreat an annual event. Therefore, the quilt will grow each year with inclusion of new friends, new thought and appreciation for life, and creativity in relying on our energy to create something good.

 — atAppalachian State University.

My third piece is my my process journal. I would love to submit the entire journal, as it is the most accurate reflection of my love for recycled art and life’s journey. My work displays process, hope, and belief in a better world. Such mindset I consider not naïve, but necessary for moves towards a sustainable future. The old phrase, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Holds true to me, I choose to see with fresh eyes, and inspire others to do the same.

 — at Appalachian State University.

This piece displays my reaction to the recent "pop-culture" phenomenon "The Hunger Games". We are all trapped in something. We are all controlled some how. How do we desire to be free?

 — at Appalachian State University.

However, I selected a drawing of a girl who I claim as myself. The girl screams in frustration with the evils of the world. However, this frustration sets a fire within to fight for change. “Starting” is written at the bottom of the drawing for I choose to start living with a dream of hope instead of running away. Also the metal piece at the bottom of the drawing was a found piece. Discarding or ignoring the things we find when they can be used to inspire is unfortunate.

 — at Appalachian State University.

The more I learn about the harmful effects we as human beings have on the Earth the more I want to abandon it all and live in a cave. However, there is something supremely powerful about embracing life with knowledge of how to best care for the earth with all of the world’s people. In a world propelled by money and greed, I believe creativity and love have the power to overcome the darkness. I choose to be inspired by life and represent the good things I see with art.

 — at Appalachian State University.